RIPR News

7:21 am

Thu August 26, 2010

More pleas entered in North Providence corruption investigation

Providence, R.I. – A Rhode Island attorney and a businessman accused of acting as middlemen in a North Providence corruption scheme have pleaded not guilty to federal charges of conspiracy, attempted extortion and delivering a bribe.

Seventy-seven-year-old Robert Ciresi and 73-year-old Edward Imondi are also accused of pocketing part of the bribes they delivered to three former North Providence town councilmen. The five suspects remain free on unsecured bond.

Former town councilman Raymond Douglas III, Joseph Burchfield and John Zambarano pleaded not guilty Monday to new charges of conspiracy, extortion and bribery. They had already pleaded not guilty to earlier charges announced in May.

All three men have resigned from the town council.

Attorney Ciresi and developer Imondi face maximum sentences of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine if convicted on all charges.